Explore Kew Gardens on Google Street View

Nature fans and gardening fanatics can find inspiration by navigating the paths of Kew Gardens’ 326 acre site. Take in the largest collection of plants in the world – 30,000 different species, including 14,000 trees – and iconic structures such as the Palm House and Pagoda.

How we did it

To produce the Street View of Kew Gardens, Google sent a 'Trike' team to collect images of different places around the Gardens. Reminiscent of an ice cream cart, this Trike enables the Google Street View team to reach areas not accessible by car, such as hiking trails, college campuses and gardens.

The Trike is set up with special cameras and equipment to capture and match images to a specific location using GPS (Global Positioning System) devices. Once these photographs are taken, they go through a stage of computer processing to make them ready for showing on Google Maps. In this process individual images are 'sewn' together to create a 360° panorama of photographed places.

Google then apply cutting-edge face-blurring technology. This helps to make sure that the faces of pedestrians, and in our case Garden visitors, are blurred out before the final images are made available on Google Maps.

Explore Kew Gardens using Google Street View

Click the orange man icon located at the top left of the map, and drag it onto Kew Gardens.

To rotate the view click the arrows in the top left corner of the view, or drag the ring outside the arrows.

To navigate around the Gardens, click one of the white arrows overlaid on the paths to move in that direction, or use the arrow keys.

Look out for the hidden object in the Gardens to win a years FREE Membership at Kew Gardens for two, and a bunch of Kew goodies. To find out more about the competition and to enter, you must join our free twitter stream or our Facebook Fan page.

Street View will provide a fascinating view of Kew Gardens, both for those planning a visit and for those who just want see how beautiful it looks!

Professor Stephen Hopper, Director, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Visit Kew online all year round

This collaboration is a great example of how Kew is using digital technologies to improve access to our wonderful landscape. It also enables online visitors to experience 250 years of Kew's plant knowledge and scientific information online.

The living collection of trees and other plants from around the world on display at Kew Gardens help to support our global conservation programmes around the world. This vital work helps to save plant life at risk of extinction and those of most use for the future.

4 comments on 'Explore Kew Gardens on Google Street View'

Nikki says

What a great idea! We visit Kew very regularly and I always think about how much I'll miss it when we move out of London - this way I'll still get to see my favourite parts! I've recently been blogging about my visits to Kew - Littleflowerbaby.wordpress.com

Ermina E. Bosch says

What a wonderful idea! I lived in Kew Village until one year ago and I miss my walks in the gardens terribly. This will warm my spirit through the winter months until I can return in the Spring and continue to enjoy my daily walks in this magical place.

Dave says

The January e-newsletter says " Kew has teamed up with Google to capture our iconic Gardens with 360 degree views from all the pathways inside Kew's 326 acre site."
In fact, far from all the pathways are covered. Apart from that, it's a great idea.

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Nature fans and gardening fanatics can find inspiration by navigating the paths of Kew Gardens’ 326 acre site. Take in the largest collection of plants in the world – 30,000 different species, including 14,000 trees – and iconic structures such as the Palm House and Pagoda.143 likes 4 comments